I Made It!

I am officially done with my big tests and insane study schedule, but I feel like it paid off. The massive grammar test was easier than I expected. I, along with some others, had some issues with several parts of the test but I don’t think it will be that bad.

I am thankful to be done with this part and be able to enjoy the next two weeks as I prepare for all the stuff I’ll be doing while I’m back in the states. I’m also thankful that I get to finally rest and relax; and I’m doing it on Isla Tortuga for the day on Saturday.

Isla Tortuga is an island off the Pacific Coast, and some of my friends and I are going. The best part is that this is a gift from some friends who I watched their kids for several days. What a great way to just relax and finally get to breath some fresh, non-city air for the first time in 4 months. Isn’t God so great? He knows what we need, exactly when we need it! Yea for God! Thanks for all your prayers!

It’s Official

If you have been following my blog you know that I have been trying to decide between working at Renacer or La Carpio. It’s been a hard decision and many things to think about and pray through.

This week has been a good one with Jesus as we discussed where, when, and what. Yesterday I felt like I had a clear answer after spending time with Him, but I wanted to sleep on it to make sure that in the morning I would have the peace that He provides when it’s His will.

This morning I woke up having a great peace and I didn’t even have a doubt about where I am to be working. This was the first time in a long time there was no doubt left.

I will be spending at least the next year at Renacer, working with the teen girls there. I’m so excited and have started that process now. They are excited to have me join them. I start 5 Oct. Thanks for praying!

One Down and One to Go

Today I took my ECO, the oral exam. I wish I could say I did great and did really showed my ability to speak Spanish, however I feel very opposite of that. I know I’m much harder on myself than I should be and therefore my view of what I did is tainted some. However there were parts that I felt like I did well in.

I just wanted to be able to show my true ability. I felt like I got stuck on easy things that I knew but my nerves got a hold of me and I wanted to say things right so I thought too much about it and then that always causes problems. Oh well. I keep reminding myself that no matter what the paper says I’m able to speak Spanish and communicate with those around me. That is what is important, not if I have an advance low as my level.

Please pray for me that I will just focus on God and not focus on my self-serving and prideful side that can come out in times like this. Today I’m struggling with it. I put too much emphasis on a grade and that’s not what is important here. So as I had asked God to do several days ago, to break down my pride, He’s doing so.

Thank you for your prayers on my tests. One more to go. I’m going to try to give this one completely to the Lord and take my pridefulness out of it.

God’s Economy

As we prepare to enter our second year of volunteer service there have been many questions about our finances. Most of you know that we raise money for the administrative cost of our work, plus airfare, visas and personal expenses for the year. The school pays a small stipend for our teaching, which basically covers our cost for food and bus transportation each month. As a returning teacher, the cost to go is significantly lower, but it is still not something we can do on our own.

We have been encouraged by the growing financial support we have received as we continue this journey. Many who supported us last year have pledged to continue giving; others have even increased their pledges! Still more are coming along side our work for the first time as they hear about what we are doing and the impact being made. We are constantly reminded (and sharing with our teammates) that God’s economy is never in a downturn. Faithful steps of generosity also challenge me to be more generous. When you don’t have a lot of “extra” money, it can be hard to let go (believe me, I know), but there are lessons we learn as both a giver AND a receiver. Don’t miss out on the blessings!

If you’re one of those people who has always thought “I’d like to give someday, when I have enough money”. Let me encourage you by sharing some of the creative ways people have blessed us with their giving.
* Collecting change
* Putting a small amount of cash aside from each paycheck to make a large donation at the end of the year
* Giving from a tax refund
* Setting up a monthly automatic debit from a checking account
* A Tupperware Party fundraiser
* Small business owners committing to using their profits for charity
* Families between chrches giving their t!the
* Today David went to get a hair cut. As he chatted with the barber, he explained that he was just visiting family in the area and on his way back overseas to teach. As the barber began to ask questions, they struck up a conversation about min!stry work. At the end of the hair cut David went to the front to pay and the guy gave him a little too much change–$100!

Be quick to share what Gd is doing in your life. You never know how Gd may move someone else to get involved!

Cross-Cultural Quotes & Eternal Truth

I added a new element to my blog today: a daily travel quote. I always enjoy reading quotes, so I thought I’d see what comes up. The very first one is a quote from a Mu$1im.

“Muhammad says, ‘Love of one’s country is a part of the faith.’ But don’t take that literally! Your real ‘country’ is where you’re heading, not where you are. Don’t misread that hadith.” -Rumi

Although there are key differences in our beliefs, I was reminded of the Truth in Gd’s word that this earth is not our true home. My “country” is my eternal home. My Father is building a home for me with him in Heav’n (John 14\1-6). Although I may feel patriotism to the country of my birth, it is not where my heart rests. “So we are always of good courage. We know that while we are at home in the body we are away from the Lrd, for we walk by fa!th, not by sight. Yes, we are of good courage, and we would rather be away from the body and at home with the Lrd. So whether we are at home or away, we make it our aim to please him” (2 Cor 5\6-9).

As long as I am on this earth, my desire is to please my Father and to carry his message to the nations of the world.

“Give thanks to the Lrd,
call upon his name,
make known his deeds among the peoples,
proclaim that his name is exalted.”
Isaiah 12\4

And the blind will see

Well, technically she was not completely blind. More in the category of “I can see people like trees walking around.” And even though we are on a mission trip, I am ashamed to say that praying for healing was not anyone’s first impulse. After all, WE were holding a medical clinic.
So anyway, the woman came for glasses. In reality she needed some pretty powerful bi-focals but due to the set-up and what we have to offer, she had to choose. Glasses to see distance or glasses to read and see close up. Without hesitation, she chose reading glasses. She explained, “I am a Christian, but for many years I have not been able to read the Bible. If I have to choose, I choose to read God’s word.” The eye doctor gave her the strongest reading glasses he had, which improved her vision enough that if she was in direct sunlight, and held the Bible very close she could make out the words. She then went to the spiritual counseling area. As the counselor began to talk to her she felt led by the Holy Spirit to pray for the woman’s eyes. Nothing wild or loud or flashy, just a simple quiet prayer for God to be glorified and the woman to be able to read freely the Word of God. When she opened her eyes, she began to cry. She could see clearly. She could see the donkeys at the far end of the field. She could count the children playing in the shade of a tree 100 yards away. And of course, she could read her Bible. She opened it, she held it close and read, she held it at arms distance and read, the counselor took the Bible 10 feet away and still she read. The woman marched promptly back to the eye clinic and handed her glasses back. “I don’t need these anymore. I can see.”

update date from jessenfamilyministry.blogspot.com.

The Be All and End All Exams

So the time has finally arrived in which I have not been looking forward to for the past year…the ECO and Gramatica tests. The ECO, which is tomorrow, is a 30 minute oral exam to test my oral proficiency level. Then there’s the 3 hour Gramatica test on Friday which covers all of the Spanish grammar that I have learned over the past year! I’m a bit scared.

Please pray that I will trust God to help me recall all that I have studied and learned. Also pray that I won’t allow my nerves to take over me. Well I’m off to studying some more.

Sermon Series | Brace Yourself (1 Timothy)

1. Introduction. When studying the epistles, we often skip the introductory verses, but today we look closely at the opening verses in 1 Timothy. As we study, we must ask ourselves, “Am I aware of God’s command in my life? Where am I fulfilling God’s orders?” (June 7, 2009)
2. Sound Doctrine and the Rhythm of the Gospel. This Sunday, we continue our study of 1 Timothy, specifically how sound doctrine anchors Christ-followers to Jesus. Pastor Lane asks us, “What are you consumed by? What occupies your time, your heart? Does the gospel in your life start with God? Is your understanding of people based on the gospel?” (June 14, 2009)
3. Prayer and Worship Leadership. There are two correct expressions of the church: gathered and sent. Worship is expressed in both. Mission and worship originate in the heart of God. When our vision of God’s glory is great, so too will our vision for the nations. Men must lead in worship and mission for the church. (June 21, 2009)
4. Elders. Three roles define leadership in the church: members, deacons, and elders. This week, we study eldership and the men who lead, feed, care for, and guard the church. Only a qualified man can engage a church with the gospel mission and these qualifications fall in three areas of his life: personal, public, and prioritized spiritual. (June 28, 2009)
5. Deaconate. Three roles define leadership in the church: members, deacons, and elders. This week, we study the deaconate, the servants who provide leadership on the frontlines of ministry and who take on responsibility for those they lead. (July 5, 2009)
6. Faith and False Hope. Every Christ-follower should build their lives on sound doctrine. We are called to live by faith, and our faith will only be as strong as what it is placed in. Sound doctrine allows us to understand what we place our faith in. (July 12, 2009)
7. Church Family. 1 Timothy 5 provides radically practical advice for our lives and challenges us to place importance on our relationships within the church. As adults, not only do we need to know how to relate to one another but we must teach the children of LPC how to relate to adults, too. Additionally, the church is to take care of widows, orphans, and single moms while also taking care of its leadership. (July 26, 2009)

Download all seven sermons (211 MB).

Monthly Witz, July Edition

Partners Craig and Bryn Hauquitz sent us their monthly newsletter this week with news of their upcoming ministry plans and additions to their family. Be sure to download the Monthly Witz for the complete story and an updated list of their prayer needs. Download the Monthly Witz now…

No Longer in Darkness – John 1:1-12

Today was one of those days when you know that if not a single other person was impacted with the gospel of Christ, this ONE was worth the cost, the effort and the challenges of the whole trip. Today we, (Jenni and Scarlet) were working in “suburb” of Chincha, Peru named Alto Laran. By Peruvian standards it is middle class. The homes are built from concrete, dirt floors and several have running water until 3 p.m. In the central park sat a little old man. By appearance I would have guessed him to be at least 75 years old. But the years have worn heavily on him and in reality he is 58. From under a small blue and white ball cap, bushy black and white hair escaped in every direction, including from his ears and eye brows. His skin a rich leathery brown and back bent from hard long years harvesting mandarins in the fields of Peru. One finger of his left hand was lost too many years back to recall. Rolfino prayed to accept Christ today in that central plaza, but really that is only part of the story. He came an hour later to the cell group meeting and eagerly devoured the first discipleship lesson. Learning how to find chapters and verses in the Bible and upon finding them, soaking them into his very soul as if rain quenching parched ground. As he stood to leave a few silent tears began to slip down his cheeks and he began to explain.
“For many years I have lived alone. My house is dark, I have no light. My house is cold, I have no heat. For many years I have been afraid of the dark, afraid of being alone. At one time, I fell and was alone calling for help for three days. A dog came and slept beside me. Every morning at 5 a.m. I get up and leave my house; I go out into the streets because I am afraid to be alone. Every night I go to bed when it gets dark and I cry because I am afraid. I feed the little dog when I can and leave water for her, but I never know when I leave if she will be there when I return. I have been alone for so long.” He wiped the tears from his darkened skin with the four fingers he had on his crippled left hand and began to sob. “Con alegria, con alegria.” He sobbed openly. “With joy, with joy,” he repeated over and over again. For 58 hard lonely years this man has lived in darkness, this evening for the very first time, he found that he is not alone. He is safely in the hand of the God that loves him so passionately that He died for him. That Jesus Christ is Life, Truth and Light. After a lifetime of living in darkness, he stepped into the Light and wept with joy…so did I. Please pray for our brother, Rolfino.

update date from jessenfamilyministry.blogspot.com.

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